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IS 4031-15 (1991): Methods of physical test for hydraulic

cement, Part 15: Determination of fineness by wet sieving
[CED 2: Cement and Concrete]

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IS 4031( Part 15 ) : 1991

( Reafflrmed2005
1995 )
( Reaffirmed
)
w?TfmTm

Indian Standard

METHODS OF PHYSICAL TESTS FOR

HYDRAULICCEMENT
PART 15 DETERMINATION

OF FINENESS BY WET SIEVING

Second Reprint OCTOBER 1997

UDC

66942 : 62016832

0 BIS 1991

BUREAU
MANAK

OF
BHAVAN,

INDIAN
9 BAHADUR
NEW DELHI

June 1991

STANDARDS
SHAH

ZAFAR

MARG

II0002
Price Group 3

Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee, CED 2

FOREWORD
This Indian Standard was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, after the draft finalized by the
Cement and Concrete Sectional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering Division
Council.
Standard methods of testing cement are essential adjunct to the cement specifications. This standard
in different parts, lays down the test procedures to evaluate the physical properties of different types of
hydraulic cement. This part covers determination of fineness of.cement by wet sieving. The procedures
for conducting chemical tests of hydraulic cement are covered in IS 4032 series Methods of chemical
analysis of hydraulic cement.
Determination of fineness by wet sieving is required mainly for masonry cement, but the same method
shall be applied when any manufacturer
or user wants to determine fineness of any other cement for
any other specific reason.
The composition
in Annex A.

of the technical

committee

responsible for the formulation

of this standard is given

In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with this standard, if the final value,
observed or calculated, is to be rounded off, it shall be done in accordance with 1s 2 : 1960 Rules for
rounding off numerical values ( revised ).

Is 4031( Part 15 ) : 1991

Indian Standard

METHODS OF PHYSICAL TESTS FOR

HYDRAULIC CEMENT
PART 15 DETERMINATION

OF FINENESS BY WET SIEVING

1 SCOPE

3535 : 1986

sieves shall clamp tightly on the cloth to prevent

the cement from catching in the joints between
the sieve cloth and the frame.
5.2 Spray Nozzle
The spray nozzle ( see Pig. 1 ) shall be constructed
with non-corrodible
material and shall be of 175
mm inside diameter with a central hole drilled in
line with the longitudinal axis, and intermediate
row of eight holes drilled 6 mm centre to ccntre
at an angle of 5 from the longitudinal axis, and
an outer row of eight holes drilled 11 mm centre
to centre at an angle of IO from the longitudinal
axis. All holes shall be of 05 mm diameter.

3 SAMPLING
SAMPLES

5.3 Pressure Gauge

The pressure gauge shall be of 75 mm minimum
diameter and shall be graduated in 001 N/mm3
increments and shall have a maximum capacity of
02 N/mm with a marking at 007 N/mm. The
accuracy at 007 N/mm2 shall be 0005 N/mm2.

This standard ( Part 15 ) covers the procedure for

determining the fineness of cement by wet sieving
as represented by the mass of the residue left on a
standard 45micron IS Sieve.
2 REFERENCES
The Indian Standards listed below are necessary
adjuncts to this standard.
Title

IS No.

Methods of sampling hydraulic cements (first revision )

460 ( Part 1 ) : 1985 Specification for test sieves:
Part 1 Wire
cloth
test
sieves ( third revision )
AND SELECTION

OF TEST

The samples of the cement shall be taken in accordance with the requirements of IS 3535 : 1986 and
the relevant standard specification for the type of
cement being tested. The representative sample of
the cement selected as above shall be thoroughly
mixed before testing.
4 TEMPERATURE
The temperature of the room and the materials
shall preferably be maintained at 27 f2C.
5 APPARATUS
5.1 Sieve

The sieve frame shall be of non-corrodible

material and shall be circular 50 f 5 mm in diameter.
The depth of the sieve from the top of the frame
to the cloth shall be 75 f 5 mm. The frame shall
have either side walls 90 f 5 mm in total height
or legs of suihcicnt length, 120 mm minimum, to
allow air circulation
beneath
the sieve cloth. The
sieve frame shall be fitted with 45 micron stainless
steel woven wire cloth sieve conforming to IS 460
( Part 1 ) : 1985. The cloth shall be mounted in the
frame without distortion,
looseness
or wrinkling.
For a sieve fabricated
by soldering
the cloth to
the frame, the joint shall be made smooth
to
prevent
the cement
from catching
in the joints
between the sieve cloth and frame.
Two piece

5.4 Balance
Analytical balance capable of reproducing results
within 0000 2 g with an accuracy of f 0000 2 g.
NOTE -- Self indicating
balance
accuracy may also be used.

with

equivalent

5.5 Standard Weights

5.6 Oven
6 CALIBRATION
OF 45 MICRON IS SIEVE

The calibration of the 45 micron sieve shall be

made using standard reference material (SRM)
from National Council of Cement and Building
Materials. Place 1000 g of the SRM on the clean
dry 45 micron sieve and 1 proceed as in 7. The
sieve correction factor is the difference between the
test residue obtained and the assigned residue value
indicated by the electro-formed sheet sieve fineness
specified for the standard sample, expressed as a
percentage of the test residue. The sieve shall be
re-calibrated after every 100 determinations.
E.lrample :
Residue on 45 micron IS Sieve of 140 percent
SRM sample
Residue for a 1 g sample
0140 g
Residue on Sieve being calibrated
0105 g
Difference
+0*035 g
Correction = 0035 x 100
=L + 333 percent
factor
0105

4
I

I
I
I
4
0

I
t7-7

1.
I

I _ _-____-____

I
--

SPRAY

--

NOZZLE

17.2

34+SPRAY

NOZZLE
17~ 9 04

ASSEMBLY
HOLES

All dimensions
FIG.

in millimetres.

SPRAY

NOZZLE

7 PROCEDURE

8 CALCULATION

Place 1000 g of sample of the cement on a clean,

dry 45 micron IS Sieve. Wet the sample thoroughly
with a gentle stream of water. Remove the sieve
from under the nozzle and adjust the pressure on
the spray nozzle to 0'07f 0'005
N/mm. Return
the sieve to its position under the nozzle and wash
for 1 mitt, moving the sieve with a circular motion
in a horizontal plane at the rate of one motion per
second in the spray. The bottom of the spray
nozzle shall extend below the top of the sieve frame
by about 12 mm. Immediately upon removing the
sieve from the spray, rinse once with 50 ml of
distilled water, taking care not to lose any of the
residue, and then blot the lower surface gently
upon a damp cloth. Dry the sieve and residue in
an oven or over a hot plate ( see Note ), supporting the sieve in such a manner that air may pass
freely beneath it. Cool the sieve, brush the residue
from the sieve and weigh.

Calculate the mass of the residue of the cement

left on the standard 45 micron IS Sieve to the
nearest 0.1 percent as follows:

NOTE - Care should be taken

hot enough to soften the solder.

Rc=

Rs x (lOO+C)

where
Rc = corrected residue in percent,

Rs = residue of the sample retained

45 micron IS Sieve in g, and
C = sieve correction factor
either plus or minus.

on the

which may be

Example :

Sieve correction factor, C = + 333 percent

Residue from sample being tested, Rs = 0092 g
Corrected residue = 0092 x ( 100 + 333 )
= 123 percent

not to heat the sieve

IS 4031 ( Part 15 ) : 1991

ANNEX A
( Foreword )
COMPOSITION

OF THE TECHNICAL COMMITTJZE

Cement and Concrete

Sectional Committee,

Representing
capacity ( University

Chairman

In personal

VISVESVARAYA

DR H. C.

CED 2
of Roorkee,

Roorkee 247667 )

Members
Orissa Cement
The Associated

SHRI H. BHATTACHARYA
DR A. K. CHATTERIEE
Srnu S. H. SUBRAMANIAN( Alternate
CHIEF ENGINEER ( DESIGNS )

Limited,
Cement

New Delhi
Companies Ltd,

Bombay

)
Central

Public Works Department,

New Delhi

SUPERINTENDINC~ENGINEER ( S & S )
( Aft errx?le )

Sardar

CHIEF ENGINEER, NAVAGAM DAM

SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER, OCC
( Alternate )

Sarovar

Narmada

CHIEF ENGINEER ( RESEARCH-CUMDIRECTOR )

RESEARCH OFFICER ( CONCRETE
TECHNOLOGY ) ( AIternafe )

Irrigation

DIRECTOR
JOINT DIRECTOR (

A. P. Engineering
Alternate

Central

GHANEKAR

Alternate

Laboratories,

Hyderabad

Commission,

New Delhi

Industries

Limited,

Hyderabad

Structural Engineering
Research Centre
The India Cements Limited, Madras

( CSlR ), Ghaziabad

Gannon

Dunkerley

Bombay

Central

Building

GUHA THAKURTA
SHRI S. P. SHANKARANARAYANAN

Alternate

Water

Hyderabad

SHIU S. K.
(

Amritsar

SHRI S. G~PINATH
SHRI R. TAA~~~LAKARAN (

Research

Institute,

SHRI V. PATTABHI ( Allerrzale

SHRI V. K.

and Power Research

DIRECTOR ( C & MDD

) ( N 8~ W )
DEPUTY DIRECTOR ( C Sr MDD I

( NW & S ) ( Alt&zatr
SHRI K. H: GANGWAL

Nigam Ltd, Gandhinagar

& Company

Limited,

DR IRSHAD MASOOD DR MD KHALID (

Alfernafe )
JOINT DIRECTOR, STANDARDS( B & S ) (CB-I)

Research

Institute

Research,
Designs
and
Railways ), Lucknow

Standards

( CSIR ), Roorkee
Organization

( Ministry

of

JOINT DIRECTOR STANDAI~DS ( B & S )/

( CB-II ) ( Alternate
)

Indian

SHRI N. G. JOSHI
SHRI P. D.

SHRI D. K.
SHRI

KLLKAR (

Alter/late

National

KANUNGO

B. R. MEENA (

Altertzalc

~~RISHNA~NRTHY
SHRI S. CHAKRAVARTHY (

Larsen and Toubro

Hospital
Services
New Delhi

SHRI S. 0. RANGARI ( Alternate )

I;. P;. M~HTA
SHRI J. S. SANGANERIA( Alternate )
MEMBERSECRETARY
DIRECTOR( CIVIL ) ( Alfcrrrute )
SHRI M. K. MUXHERJEE
SHRI

#.

GHoSH

( A~tUfl~lf~~

Calcutta
Limited,

Bombay

Geological
Central

Consultancy

Survey of India,

Board of Irrigation

Roads Wing
Transport

Corporation

( India ) Ltd,

Calcutta
and Power,

Department
of Surface
), New Delhi

Niw Delhi
Transport

( Minisiry

of

DR A. K. MUI.LICX
DR S. C. AHLU~ALI,\ ( Alterntrte
&RI NIRMAL SINGIl

SkIRI

Test House,

Alternccte

SHRI G. K. MAlUMDAR

M.

Bombay

SHRI P.

sIRI

Hume Pipes Co Limited,

National

Council

for Cement

and Building

Materials,

New Delhi

Snki S. S. MIGLANI
( AlrerJzate
)
R. C. PARATE
LT-COL R. X. SINGH ( Alternure )

Dcvclopment
Industry

Commissioner

Engineer-in-Chiefs

for Cement

Industry

)
Branch,

Army Headquarters

( Ministry

of

IS 4031( Part 15 ) : 1991

Representing

Membera

Hindustan Prefab Ltd, New Delhi

Central Road Research Institute ( CSIR ), New Delhi

SHRI H. S. PASRICHA
SIII~ Y. R. PnmI.
SHRI S. S. SEEHRA( Alternate

)
Indian

SHRI Y. R. PHULL

SHRI K. B. THANDEVAN ( Afternate

DR M. RAMAIAH
DR A. G. MADHAVA RAO ( Alternate
SHRI 0.

Congress,

New Delhi

Structural

Engineering

Research

Centre

( CSIR ). Madras

RAMDAS

Directorate
General
Builders Association
Cement Corporation

REPRESENTATIVE
SHRI A. U. RIIHSINGHANI
SI~I C. S. SHARMA( Akernate 1
SHRI J. SEN GUPTA
Sm A. K. LAL ( Alternute

Roads

National

Buildings

of Supplies and Disposals,

of India, Bombay
of India, New Delhi
Organization,

New Delhi

New Delhi

SHRI T. N. SUBBA RAO

SHRI S. A. RE~DI ( Alternote

Gammon

India Limited.

Bombay

SUPT. ENGINEER( DESIGNS)

EXECIJTI~EENQINEER( S.M.R. DIVISION)
( AIternute )
SHRI S. B. SURI
SHRI N. CHAN;)RASEKARAN
( AltarnutP )
0~ H. C. VISVESVARAYA
SHRI D. C. CHATIJRVEDI
( Afternote )
SHRI (3. RAMAN.
Director ( Civil Engg )

Public

Works Department,

Central

Soil and Materials

The Institution
Director

Government
Research

Station,

New Delhi

( India ), Calcutta

of Engineers

General,

of Tamil Nadu

BIS (Ex-ofjicio

Member )

Secretory
SHRIN.C.BANDYOPADWAY
Joint Director ( Civil Engg ), BLS
Cement,

Pozzolana

and Cement

Additives

Subcommittee,

CED

2 : 1

Convener
DR H. C. VI~~E~VARAYA

In personal

Members
Smtr S. K. BANERJEE

capacity

( University

of Roorkee, Roorkee 247667 )

National Test House, Calcutta

Directorate
Gencxal of Technical

SHRI N. G. BASAK
SHRI T. MADNESHWAR( Alternate

Development,

New Delhi

Cement Manufacturers
Association,
Bombay
SHRI SOMNATHBANERJEE
Department,
Government
of Punjab
CHIEFENWNEER( RESEARCH-CUM-DIRECTOR
) Irrigation
RESEARCHOFFICER( CT ) ( Alternate )
Gujarat Engineering Research Institute.
Vadodara
SHRI N. B. DESAI
SHRI 1. K. PATEL(, Alternote )
Mabarashtra
Engineering
Research Institute,
Nasik
DIRECTOR
RESEARCH
OFFICER( AItcrnote )
Central Water Commission,
New Delhi
DIRECTOR( C & MDD II )
DEPUTY DIRECTOR( C & MDD

( Alternate

11 1

SHRI R. K. GA~ANI
SHRI R. K. VA~SHNAVI( Alrernute

SHRI P. J. JAGUS
DR A. K. CHATTERJEE
( Altermtr

Shree Digvijay

Cement

Co Ltd, Bombay

The Associated

Cement

Companies

JOINT DIRECTOR( MATERIALS)

Assw DIRECTOR( PLASTIC) ( Alfrnrate )

National

JOINT DIRECTORSTANDARDS( B & S ) (CB-1)

Research,
Designs and Standards
Railways ), Lucknow

Buildings

Organization,

Ltd, Bombay
New Delhi
Organization

( Ministry

of

Ministry

of

JOINTDIRECTOR.STANDARDS( B 8~ S )
(CB-II ) ( Alternate )
SHRI R. L. KAPQOR
SHR~ R. K. DANA ( Afternare
SHRI W. N. KARODE
SHRI R. KUNJITHAPA~AM

Roads Wing,
Transport,

Department
New Delhi

of

Surface

Transport,

)
The Hindustan Construction
Co Ltd, Bombay
Cbettinad Cement Corporation
Ltd, Poliyur, Tamil Nadu

IS 4031 ( Part 15 ) : 1991

Members

SHRIG.K.

Representing

Hospital
Services
Consultancy
Corporation
( India)
Ltd,
New Delhi
Central Building Research Institute ( CSlR ), Roorkee
Central Warehousing
Corporation,
New Delhi
National Council for Cement and Building Materials,
New Delhi

MAJUMDAR

DR &SHAD MASOOD
SHRI K. P. MOHIDEEN
DR A. K. MULLICK
DR ( SMT ) S. LAXMI ( Alfernafe )
SHRI K. NARANAPPA
SHRI D. P. KEWALRAMANI ( Afternate
SHRI NIRMAL SINGH

Central

Electricity

Authority,

New Delhi

SHRI S. S. MIGLANI ( Alternate )

SHRI Y. R. PHULL
SHRI S. S. SEEHRA( Alternate )
SHRI A. V. RAMANA
DR K. C. NARAN~ (Alternate
)
COL V. K. RAN
SHRI N. S. GALANDE ( Alternate )
SHRI S. A. REDDI
SHRI A. U. RIJHSIN~HANI
SHRI M. P. SINQH
SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER ( D )
SENIOR DEPUTY CHIEF ENGINPER
( GENERAL ) (_Afternate )
SHRI S. B. SURI
SHRI N. CHANDRASEKARAN( Alternate )
SHRI L. SWAROOP
SHRI H. BHATTACHARYA( Afternate )
SHR~ V. M. WAD

Development
Industry

Commissioner

for Cement

Industry

( Ministry

Central

Road Research

Dalmia

Cement

Institute

( Bharat

Engineer-in-Chiefs

( CSIR ), New Delhi

) Ltd, New Delhi

Branch,

Army Headquarters

Gammon India Ltd, Bombay

Cement Corporation
of India Ltd, New Delhi
Federation
of Mini Cement Plants, New Delhi
Public Works Department,
Govt of Tamil Nadu

Central
Orissa

Soil and Materials

Cement

Research

Ltd, New Delhi

Bhilai Steel Plant,

Bhilai

Station,

New Delhi

of

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